Battling AFC slip to defeat despite late pressure

TWO first half own goals condemned Hinckley AFC to a narrow defeat at high flying Walsall Wood writes Liam Gibbs

In a perfect example of the cliched game of two halves, Wood were on the front foot in the opening 45 minutes and went two up courtesy of own goals from Dominic Perkins and Richard Lavery.

Steve Hart’s reply brought Hinckley back in it, but despite dominating the second half Dale Belford’s side couldn’t force home what would have been a deserved equaliser. Wood were indebted to ‘keeper Lloyd Ransome for a series of fine saves to preserve their record of winning every home league game this season.

The sides exchanged early half chances but as the game settled down, Wood used the wind at their backs to apply pressure and took the lead on 24 minutes.

Tony Clarke got to the byline and pulled back to where Perkins could only turn into his own net.

Minutes later Clarke forced Ty Belford into a fine fingertip save, and with Hinckley struggling to get out, Wood doubled their lead when Keenan Meakin-Richards’ free kick struck the post, rebounded back onto Lavery and bobbled over the line.

Hinckley now had a hill to climb and they were thankful to Belford’s fine double save from Clarke to keep their hosts at 2-0.

But they responded well and Belford’s save was to prove crucial when Hinckley went straight up the other end and halved the deficit. Kevin Thornton’s clever ball inside found Hart, who rolled his man before lashing home at the near post.

With the wind still playing a part, Hinckley penned their hosts inside their own half for large spells as Hinckley controlled possession, territory and chances.

Thornton volleyed over, Hart just failed to meet Marcus Jackson’s cross and Ransome dealt with Bekir Halil’s deflected cross and Lavery’s header as Hinckley piled on the pressure.

With time running out, it looked increasingly like Wood would hold on but AFC forced Ransome into a series of fine saves late on.

With three minutes to go, Hart’s 25-yard effort on the half turn was destined for the top corner until Ransome’s flying save pushed it wide.

Perkins headed the resulting corner over, before Ransome scuffed a goal kick straight to Luke Richards. He charged towards goal only for the ‘keeper to make amends, denying the Hinckley substitute with his legs.

As the game entered stoppage time, Hinckley knew they had one final chance. Jake Healy’s corner caused havoc and, after a scramble, Ransome again stuck out a big left boot on the line to block as the hosts held on. LADY President Trophy (replayed on 3rd October) Sheila Chave 35 pts Mr Chairman Claret Jug (replayed on 19th September)

Winners: Annette Cattermole, Marian Wass, Helen Adams-Brown, Sheila Chave 71 pts

Runners Up: Sandra Baum, Rita Watts, Judith Cooke, Maureen Foote 70 pts Waltzer (10th October) Winners: Andrena Porter, Trudie Allen, Rita Watts 69 pts

Runners Up: Sue Ayre, Hazel Coulson, Sue Deeney 66 pts 18 Hole Stableford (17th October) Overall Winner and Division 1 Winner: Andrena Porter 32 pts ocb, 2nd Sue Ayre 32 pts

Div. 2 1st Di Fisher 24 pts, 2nd Amanda Stafford 23 pts ocb Div.3 1st Natalie Jones 30 pts 18 Hole Greensome (24th October)

Winners: Helen Adams-Brown & Denise Mather 33 pts

Runners Up: Annette Cattermole & Di Fisher 32 pts